Chapter 9
Tuesday afternoon, while working out at Jameson’s Gym, Xavier kept replaying his evening with Justine over his his mind.
He had no idea what had gone wrong.
The dinner had been both relaxing and fun.
Justine didn’t seem to mind him being a therapist, which could sometimes be off-putting for people.
They became self-conscious when talking to him, thinking he was analyzing every word they said.
Not Justine. She’d been laughing and open, sincere about processing her evening.
He felt for her. Her family sounded worlds apart from his.
Though he and Auggie teased about their mother’s lecturing, it all came from a place of love.
And she’d never hold their choices against them.
From a young age, he’d been taught to be accepting of everyone.
Race, gender, sexual orientation—none of it meant anything compared to the soul inside the body.
Yet Justine didn’t seem to have that. From what he’d heard and what she hadn’t said, she wanted her parents to accept her because she loved them, even if she didn’t always like them. Why else go to a dinner party knowing she’d likely get run over by her overbearing family?
He ran faster on the treadmill as he thought about that Cal guy, the one she hadn’t exactly disliked. Why did her parents need her to date the perfect man? At least she’d been smart enough to ditch her ex. She hadn’t mentioned much of him, but the guy sounded like a jackass.
He couldn’t imagine Justine needing that much more from a man than empathy and affection. So where exactly had Mitch gone wrong?
His curiosity was itching at him, wanting to know more about the woman he had a tough time not thinking about. And God, hugging her had been excruciating.
She’d felt like warm sin, all curves and strength, yet fragile. It had been all he could do not to rub up against her like some big perv. So even though he’d been aroused, he’d been careful not to show it.
Five minutes after she’d left, he’d talked himself out of being aroused. Then ended his night by jacking off to thoughts of her, unable to get her unbound breasts and tight ass out of his mind—those pajamas he’d caught her in on Saturday.
He ran harder, feeling that arousal build once more. Not about to be caught chubbing up at the gym, he ran himself into exhaustion before turning to the free weights.
He finished his workout and nodded at a few gym-goers he hadn’t seen in a while.
“Well, well, Rapunzel finally left her tower.” A trainer with a steel-hard frame and square jaw smirked at him.
“I’m not sure if that’s a reference that I need a haircut or you’re calling me a girl.”
“Neither,” Gavin Donnigan said, crossing his arms over a broad chest. “First, I’m not into your hair, though I’ve heard more than a few of our members talking about the hot redhead with guns.”
“My hair’s brown, not red,” Xavier growled.
Gavin talked over him. “And since your sister isn’t here, and they were looking in your direction, I’m thinking the guns they were talking about belong to you.” He looked over Xavier’s arms and added, “Puny though they are.”
Xavier flushed, which had no doubt been Gavin’s intent. “Dick.”
“Second,” Gavin said with a grin, “your sister’s a girl, and she scares me.
No way I’d ever insult women by lumping your sorry ass into the pool.
I was knocking the fact that it’s been a while since your royal highness has graced the gym with your majestic presence.
” Gavin sighed. “It’s like, now that you’re a civilian, you’ve lost all sense of discipline. ”
“Oh, please. It’s been ten years.” Xavier huffed. Gavin had served time in the Marine Corps, as had his brothers. If Xavier wasn’t mistaken, the youngest Donnigan was still on active duty. “Speaking of discipline, how’s Theo doing?”
Gavin’s smile widened. “Little shit is just fine. Sergeant Donnigan has been kicking ass and taking names.”
“Hell, man. That’s terrific. How long does he have left on his contract?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure if he’s gonna re-up or not, but he’s doing well so far. He’s got some leave built up. I think he’s coming for a visit in the fall. We’ll have a big party. You’re invited.”
“Well, you kind of have to invite me, don’t you?” Xavier smirked. “Because if you don’t, Auggie will throw a fit. She’s all about us jarheads sticking together.”
Gavin shuddered. “I know. I already admitted she scares me. You trying to give me nightmares? I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime.”
Xavier saw Gavin’s teasing for what it was, innocent jesting.
Not the call for help he’d once had. Xavier worked with Gavin’s therapist at MYM Counseling, the practice from which Xavier was currently on a break.
Though the therapists didn’t share patient information, Xavier had spoken with Gavin at a group session a few years ago, sharing stories and embracing the service they’d all given to Corps and country.
Auggie and Gavin’s older brother had been there too, all of them bonding and becoming friends.
That networking had in fact landed Auggie a job at the gym where Gavin managed the other trainers.
“Hey, don’t tell loudmouth I asked, but how’s my sister doing? She seems pumped about some exercise competition coming up.”
“Your sister’s a kick.” Gavin laughed. “She’s been talking a lot of trash to the other trainers entering the competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins it. Talk about driven.” Gavin shrugged. “I’m an old married guy with another kid on the way. I can’t keep up with you youngsters.”
Xavier refrained from rolling his eyes. Gavin looked like he ate weights for breakfast and had no lack of attention at the gym from anyone and everyone needing advice on how to get huge. “You’re like, forty, right? That’s not too old.”
“I’m thirty-eight,” Gavin snapped back.
“Oh, my bad. The gray in your hair threw me.”
Gavin immediately put a hand to his hair, which caused Xavier to laugh.
After slugging him and calling him something Xavier would never repeat in front of his mother, Gavin stalked away with threats about setting Auggie on Xavier’s tail.
Taking that to heart, Xavier grabbed his things and left. He already had plans with Auggie the following day, when they would discuss their mom’s date. Cynthia and Big Henry had plans later in the evening. Apparently, Big Henry was taking their mom to dinner and a movie.
Personally, Xavier would forgo a movie on a first date.
When trying to get to know someone, having to be quiet while in a theater didn’t seem productive.
Then again, Auggie had set their mom up with Big Henry—a nice enough man who put more stock in bulking up than in conversation.
But again, he seemed pleasant and was more than interested in their mom.
Once back at the apartment complex and rid of thoughts about his mother dating again—God help me—the rest of Xavier’s night went smoothly.
He filtered through emails, answered a few Aunt Truth advice questions, and went over some older notes from his practice, using his time off to update patient files and get better organized.
Despite this minor break, Xavier felt good about his job.
He’d come back from his time in the Marine Corps both wiser and happier.
A people person, Xavier put stock in emotions and attitudes, and wanting to serve continued in his daily life.
He liked helping people, communicating. Top’s sneering about feelings and communication only made him laugh; they were Xavier’s lifeblood.
Drawn more to relationship dynamics than individual concerns, he’d focused his career on interpersonal relationships.
Going to school to get his LMFT license, then his masters in the subject, had been enough for him.
He didn’t have the patience to go for a doctorate.
After a good six years of college and two years to intern and license, he’d spent the past three years helping people heal.
But giving his all took its toll, so his current hiatus allowed him to recover.
It hadn’t helped that he’d been mired in Christine’s bullshit for way too long. He needed a healthy homelife to balance work.
And hell, a healthy sex life would have been ideal too.
But after time, his relationship, both emotionally and sexually, had fizzled.
He wondered if it had been the same for Justine. She’d said she tired of trying to please her ex. Just one more thing they had in common.
As he settled into bed, he continued to tell himself to stop making more out of his friendship with the woman.
He finally had a great friend—not his sister, a work associate, or gym rat—that he could easily talk to.
One who had expressly said she wasn’t looking for a relationship.
He didn’t want to ruin that by being just another swinging dick pestering her for what she didn’t want to give.
No. He respected Justine. He liked the heck out of her. Every time they spoke, he looked forward to the next time they’d meet. And that was...nice. Normal. Something men and women should be able to be without complicating everything with sex.
He kept telling himself that as he fell asleep.
And woke up having dreamt of her, once again.
His dreams put his temper out of whack and, annoyed with himself, he spent the day frazzled and off-kilter. Which didn’t help his meeting with Auggie later that evening.
Xavier stared at her. “He did what?”
Auggie shushed him. “Would you stop? Mom told me this in confidence. You know she seems to know everyone in this freaking city. Keep it down, moron.”
“You just said Big Henry kissed her. On the first date?” Xavier was incensed.
“Oh my God. She’s not a virgin, Xav.” Auggie rolled her eyes. “Besides, she said it was like kissing a plunger, all wet, rubbery, and slobbery. But I never told you that, because she confided in me on the pain of death.”
He twisted an invisible key across his lips then ruined it by talking again. “Sealed. But Auggie, you suggested they go out. Did he make moves on her as soon as he showed up or what?” As much as he didn’t want details, he needed them. His poor mother.
“They did go out. And they had fun at dinner. She said she wished they could have ignored the movie and talked more, but you know, ‘Big Henry ain’t about talkin’.’” She mimicked the man perfectly. “Don’t look at me that way. He’s a respectful guy and good looking. You should see what he benches.”
“I don’t care what he benches, so long as he’s not benching Mom,” he muttered.
She laughed like a loon. “Oh, relax. Mom had a nice time. If Big Henry hadn’t shown what a bad kisser and talker he was, they’d probably go out again. But she told me one date was enough.”
“Oh, so it’s my turn, then, eh?”
“I guess.” Auggie looked glum.
“My friend Lee’s been divorced for five years. No kids. A really nice guy and I think he’s close to Mom’s age, maybe a few years younger.”
She winced. “A shrink?”
“A damn good one. He helped Gavin out.”
Auggie brightened. “Oh, okay then.” She slugged him in the arm before he could dodge her.
“Ow. What was that for?” His sister hit like a heavyweight champ.
“For talking about me. Gavin told me you were checking up on me. Quit it.”
“Hey, I’m allowed to look out for my little sister.”
“Would you stop that?” She sounded exasperated. “We’re twins.”
“Five—”
“—minute’s difference means nothing.”
“I...” He trailed off, surprised to see Justine walking into the coffee shop, her clothes business casual. As usual, she looked gorgeous. Lively, pretty, yet tired. Today she wore her hair up in a ponytail and looked a few years younger because of it.
Auggie followed his gaze. “Well, well. Who’s that?”
Xavier whipped his head back around, saw his sister’s calculating stare, and knew it would be better to get it over with. “My new neighbor.” He waved to Justine. “Hey, come join us if you’re not busy.”
She nodded and waved then stepped to the counter to order something.
He turned back to Auggie. “That’s Rosie’s niece, Justine. She’s subletting her aunt’s place for a awhile.” He realized he had no idea how long Justine might be there. And that bothered him.
“You sure took your time looking at her.”
“We’re friends,” he emphasized, glaring into his sister’s crafty eyes. “Don’t even think of making her uncomfortable.”
“Friends, huh?” Auggie stared at Justine. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”